The race for the final two playoff spots in the Eastern Conference is coming down to the wire, and if the Heat miss out they will look back at a brutal loss on Saturday.
The Heat collapsed and blew a golden opportunity to improve their playoff chances
That one may come back to bite them.
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Miami entered its game against Detroit in sole possession of the No. 8 seed. It trailed Brooklyn by a game for the No. 7 seed and led the Celtics by just a half-game and the Pacers by 1½ games. For most of the night, it appeared Miami was going to strengthen its position. The Nets got drilled by Atlanta and Miami was in firm control against the Pistons.
The Heat led by 15 points with 5:14 to play and still maintained an 11-point lead at the 3:30 mark. Then, Reggie Jackson and the Pistons went on a ridiculous run. Jackson scored seven quick points and assisted on another three to pull within one at 98-97. That 10-2 run got Detroit close, and Jackson finished it off in the final seconds with a game-winning layup.
While all this was happening, the Celtics were busy taking the Raptors to overtime. Unlike the Heat, though, Boston capitalized. Marcus Smart sent the Celtics home winners with this wild last-second layup.
From three minutes away from being tied for the No. 7 seed to a brutal loss and dropping to the No. 9 seed.
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